Mars Bar closed for good 1 year ago today

[Photo by Slum Goddess]

Kinda seems like longer than 1 year. Well, you know, the place was closing anyway to make way for the 12-story apartment building on the lot... But people thought that they had the rest of the summer to enjoy the bar... or at least go to it.

But that DOH visit did them in on July 18, 2011 ... 54 violation points and mentions of every known type of fly. (Filth flies! Flesh flies!) And apparently owner Hank Penza said the Hell with it. And closed.

We've talked to a lot of people who really miss the place... people still searching for somewhere else to fit in...

And how it looked yesterday...

[Bobby Williams]

And on the East First Street plywood ... old-school Yelp? ...

All 8,760 Mars Bar posts here.

David Schwimmer to have his very own Central Perk on East Sixth Street

A tipster points us to 335 E. Sixth St., where work continues on the renovated storefronts (two combined into one) ... per the tipster, a cafe-coffee shop with a small food menu is in the works... not many other details are available right yet... (and there are a few resident complaints with the DOB about an "illegal/improper" vent/exhaust in the back...)

...and it's just steps from David Schwimmer's incoming mansion on the block between First Avenue and Second Avenue... No word if the new coffee shop will include an orange couch.

Gregg Wolf's Bijoux Couture closing tomorrow

[Via Yelp]

HippieChick passes along the news that, after 25 years at 346 E. Ninth St., Gregg Wolf is closing up his studios here between First Avenue and Second Avenue... The silversmith is moving to Florida. Despite some celebrity clients, he couldn't keep the business going in the current economy. (Among others, Wolf created jewelry for fashion designer-artist Stephen Sprouse in the 1980s.)

"And so another unique and wonderful East Village art business is lost to us all," says HippieChick. "I will miss him and his talent very much."

Thursday is his last day in business.

This is what an orphaned church facade looked like on East 12th Street on July 15, 2012

This year, we'll post photos like this of various buildings, streetscenes, etc., to capture them as they looked at this time and place... The photos may not be the most telling now, but they likely will be one day...

Clearing out the Cozy Lounge

Back on June 23, EVG reader William Klayer saw the Marshal pay a visit to Cozy Lounge on East First Street near Avenue A... and the landlord took possession of the space...

Meanwhile, yesterday, EVG reader Anna spotted (photogenic!) workers clearing out the space...

No word just yet what might be coming next.

Reader report: Motorcycle accident at Allen and Houston

James Stewart-Meudt sent along this photo via Twitter from earlier this evening... a motorcyclist apparently struck a cab at Houston and Allen... He notes that the rider was "injured but responsive."

Report: M9 service will be restored, expanded

[Avenue B, June 2010]

The Daily News is reporting that the M9 service will be restored and expanded starting in January ... this coming from Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver... and all thanks to the MTA's improved budgetary outlook ...

The MTA slashed the M9 service back in the summer of 2010. The M9 previously traveled from Union Square, east along East 14th Street, down Avenue B, then Houston, Essex, blah, blah, before ending up in Battery Park City.

Then came the eliminated lines and rerouting and lord knows where the M9 starts now (23rd Street?) ... but it eventually travels south down Avenue C, across Houston, down Essex ... before dumping everyone off at City Hall. (Hello Mr. Mayor!)

The article doesn't mention which part of the M9 service the MTA will restore... and what this really means for East Village residents who use the bus...

Meanwhile, there's also no word on whether Silver will restore service to the Rusty Knot Party Bus.

Previously on EV Grieve:
If you depend on the bus around here, then you're kinda screwed now

East Villagers face busageddon

What's left of Aces & Eights is now on the sidewalk along Avenue A

EVG reader Anna noted that workers are clearing out 34 Avenue A this morning... site most recently of Aces & Eights (and Mo Pitkin's previously) ...

As we first reported on June 29, the address will soon be home to Ruff Club, "a social club for dogs."

Food truck favorites Mighty Quinn's taking former Vandaag space on Second Avenue

[peter radley]

There's a new restaurant opening in the former Vandaag space on Second Avenue and East Sixth Street. Eater has the scoop that the address will be home to the first "brick and mortar location" of Mighty Quinn's, a BBQ food truck, specializing in sustainable smoked meats, favored by food truck foodies in Brooklyn.

Per Eater: The "stand consistently draws the longest lines at the weekly food fest — it's one of the only lines that people will keep waiting in even when it starts to rain. The most popular menu item is his smoked brisket, which is usually gone by 1 p.m., but the stand also serves chili, ribs, and barbecued lamb."

Anyway, been a bit of a tough corner here for restaurants... there was that pita/sports bar combo that never actually opened ... Bounce Deuce ... Smoked ... and ...

Breaking: Workers unloading markety-looking things at incoming Union Market

We had an update yesterday on the incoming Union Market at Avenue A and East Houston... now with a late summer opening date...

And today, as this photo via EVG reader Marian shows, workers are bringing in refrigerated cases for the new store... Can the beef-aging facility be far behind?

Previously.

East Village Town Hall meeting tonight

[Click to enlarge]

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer hosts (presents? chairs?) the Town Hall tonight from 6-8 at the Tompkins Square Park Library branch... neighbors are encouraged to attend ... and discuss community issues and speak directly to their local elected leaders.

Perhaps we should have a Town Hall Warmup... What do you think are some major issues facing the neighborhood? (Not a broad question at all!) Perhaps:

• Rampant development
• Perceived spike in crime
• Lack of affordable housing
• Over-abundance of bars/liquor licenses/woo
• Decreasing retail diversity
• Rent hikes
• Cuts in after-school programming
• Pedestrian safety
• Potential loss of senior centers

These are broader issues, of course ... Residents will often have more specific concerns to discuss... For instance, there's always an array of topics at the 9th Precinct's Community Council meetings every month ... During the June 19 meeting, a resident complained about the noise at the 13th Step on Second Avenue... residents complained about Double Wide on East 12th Street leaving their doors open late... and, according to the minutes, "Resident complained about large bright illuminated sign from a massage parlor on St Marks."

So it's very possible someone will bring up a topic like this...

So you now have the floor to speak...Or comment.

'One Last Dance' tonight at the Bowery Poetry Club

As we've been noting, the 10-year-old Bowery Poetry Club will be closing for renovations... and tonight is the last night in the Club's current state... "There will be a better mix of food and art," founder Bob Holman said to DNAinfo's Serena Solomon, who first reported the July 17 closing.

The Club is expecting to undergo renovations for several months in advance of a relaunch that will put a stronger emphasis on food. (Here's what Bob Holman told us about the plans on July 6.)

Meanwhile, here is closing-night info via Facebook...

Everything Is Subject To Change — One Last Dance At The Bowery Poetry Club

8 pm
Join us as we gather to kiss the stage at Bowery Poetry Club for the last time before it closes and goes the way of the new Bowery.

Performances by:
Farbeon
Eliel Lucero
Leticia Viloria
A Brief View of the Hudson
Mr Symphonics Shawn Randall
Duv
Grace Kalambay
Sean T. Hanratty and the Mighty Mighty
Rev. Jen Miller
Faceboy
Robert Prichard
Jessica Delfino
Diane O'Debra
Freestyle Pyramid w/ Rabbi Darkside, Hired Gun, and 4th Friday Fam!
Shappy Seasholtz live from Austin, TX!
and many more surprises!!!

Here are a few thoughts on the closing via Deanna Zandt's Extra Helping tumblr (she ran the Club's outreach and administration):

A huge portion of the BPC community is devastated by this news, understandably. Bowery is one of the last safe havens in New York for transgressive artists, poets and musicians to work out and celebrate their creations. It's one of the only places that you can walk into on any given night and run into one of your heroes accidentally.

...

Here's hoping both the Club's rebirth brings along lots of the history of this magical space, and that a new space welcoming the bleeding, racous edge of culture can still be born in the the five boroughs.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Is Duane Park in the Bowery Poetry Club's future?

What is happening with the Bowery Poetry Club?

Bob Holman on the future of the Bowery Poetry Club

The Beagle is closed for renovations

Missed this one... Several readers have pointed out that The Beagle on Avenue A is closed for renovations... been closed now for 10 days or so...

Restaurateur/Portlander Matthew Piacentini told Eater back on July 7 that The Beagle 2.0 "will have a full food menu to go along with the drinks." Also: "We're making the space more comfortable, adding some lovely banquettes, improving the sound level, repairing some floors and doors, that sort of thing."

The Beagle is expected to reopen in August.

It first opened here in the former Orologio space between 10th Street and 11th Street in May 2011. The Beagle's initial "pairing boards" included items such as Pressed Pig Head and Rum, Lamb Neck and Rye, and Scallop and Mezcal.

Never been here ourselves. Looked at the menu a few times and kept walking. Did you try it?

The Townho is for sale

Hijinks on East 10th Street.

Anyway, there's a new broker for this neo-classical townhouse at 104 E. 10th St. home... where playwright, poet and performance artist Edgar Oliver once lived, as Jeremiah wrote at Vanishing New York here.

The price is now $3.9 million, per Streeteasy. The price started at $6 million back in March 2011.

And hope the brokers clean the sign before today's open house from noon to 2 p.m. (Appointment only!)

A Good Parking Ticket Samaritan on East 11th Street

Near First Avenue...

Report: Citi Bikes launch now happening in August, most likely

[Shawn Chittle]

The city’s bike-share system will launch in August, not the previously announced start date of July (Streetsblog ... previously)

One way to keep rats out of the trash and practice your jump shot at the same time

Spotted in Tompkins Square Park today...

Photos by Bobby Williams.

Breaking: Chipotle gets new signage on St. Mark's Place

[Bobby Williams]

Previously!

[Via]

Countdown to City Council vote on NYU's expansion

As the Greenwich Village Society of Historic Preservation website notes... the City Council's Land Use Committee is expected to vote on NYU's proposed takeover expansion plan tomorrow.

Per GVSHP: "While the full City Council likely won’t vote until July 25, tomorrow’s vote IS KEY in determining what the entire City Council will do — and it is the City Council which ultimately decides whether or not the NYU plan is approved."

You can find their action plan on the GVSHP website here.

Meanwhile, last night, an array of noted authors and academics gathered at McNally Jackson Books on Prince Street to discuss NYU ... and read from the new book "While We Were Sleeping: NYU and the Destruction of New York" by the NYU Faculty Against the Sexton Plan...

EVG contributor Joann Jovinelly was there ... and she shared a few photos...

Fran Lebowitz

Arthur Nersesian

Kevin Baker

Sarah Schulman

Per Joann: "The book belongs on every New Yorker's shelf right alongside E.B. White's 'Here Is New York' and Colson Whitehead's 'The Colossus of New York.'"

It's a print-on-demand edition put out by McNally Jackson. The book is $10 with proceeds going to fund the fight against the plan.

Lebowitz doesn't have anything in the book, but she was there for support. "I don't normally come out for such events, but it's rare that I ever get to be in a room where everyone agrees with me."

Check out Occupy East 4th Street for more on last night.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Why the East Village should fear NYU 2031

Anniversaries

Three like-minded blogs/websites that I follow on a hourly-daily basis are celebrating anniversaries...

No. 7 for Flaming Pablum

No. 5 for Jeremiah's Vanishing New York

No. 4 for BoweryBoogie

That's 16 years of collected wisdom, news, vanishings, rants, inspiration ...

And, as I like to do in these serious moments, I turn to a 50-year-old animated TV series about a working-class Stone Age man's life...